our teachers

Amy Mikkelson  joined the staff of LWTG in 2010. Prior to joining our staff she taught at Redmond Toddler Group for five years. Amy is a Registered Nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Michigan. Before LWTG, Amy taught childbirth and early parenting at Evergreen Hospital and also worked in pediatric nursing. Amy attended Lake Washington Toddler Group as a parent and was a parent coordinator. 

Raised in the mid-west, Amy lived around the U.S. before settling in the Seattle area with her husband and two sons. 

TeacherAmy@LWTG.net

  Julie Christensen is thrilled to join the LWTG teaching staff in 2025. Previously, Julie was a parent and board member at Redmond Toddler Group as well as an outdoor preschool teacher for the Tiny Treks program. Before moving to Washington state, Julie worked as a secondary teacher, administrator and coach in California for 15 years. 

She has a BA from UC Davis and a Masters in Education from Santa Clara University.   

TeacherJulie@LWTG.net

Kym Meade joined the teaching staff at LWTG in 2012. Previously, Kym was a parent and board member at Redmond Toddler Group, as well as a parent and board member at Kirkland Cooperative Preschool, both sister schools to LWTG. In addition to being on the staff at LWTG, Kym also taught the Group I class at KCP from 2008 to 2024. 

Kym has a BA and a BS from Washington State University. She grew up in the area and is married with two children.

TeacherKym@LWTG.net

 Samantha Powers joined the LWTG teaching staff in 2025. She is a former LWTG parent and board member. Prior to LWTG, Samantha taught inclusive preschool in the Lake Washington School District. 

Samantha earned her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from the UW and became a National Board Certified teacher in 2021. She grew up on the Eastside and now lives in Kirkland with her husband, two young daughters and two cats. 

TeacherSamantha@LWTG.net

 Kris Anderson joined our teaching staff in August 2000 and this year announced her retirement after celebrating 25 years at Toddler Group! Kris' contributions to LWTG are impossible to measure. We are so grateful for her dedication and service to our community.   

Kris died from colon cancer on June 25, 2025. Please visit her In Memory page to learn more about the life of this amazing mother, teacher and friend.